10 Comments

KevJam
on August 19, 2014 at 2:09 pm

Yakupove is only 20 years old, a point per game is a little much to ask for at this age. He was not billed as the next Crosby.

Shticky
on August 20, 2014 at 1:56 pm

Jeesh not sure who was thinking Yaks is going to put up 70 or 80 point after last year, but I dont think its many…I wouldnt be surpised if he puts up 50+ tho the kid has skills. I agree people are being unrealistic about a young guy.

SENSation
on August 19, 2014 at 2:59 pm

I’m surprised no one is talking about the fact that the Sens now have 8 defencemen (not including Corvo). Does Spector have anything to add on this? Haven’t the Sens been saying they plan on making one more trade before the start of the season? Who could be on their way out and what and who could be the return? Are they waiting for Ryan to decide his future? I wouldn’t mind if they tried to get McDavid but… no guarantee until we know who has first overall pick. Seems like something needs to happen. Comments anyone?

George
on August 19, 2014 at 4:06 pm

“Diddling” a season to get a CHANCE at # 1 could every well backfire. That’s a non-starter. They missed the playoffs last year by 5 lousy points and the only ingredient they’ve lost is Spezza. You have to think the addition of Legwand and Chiasson and natural improvements by Turris, Zibanejad and chances for Stone, Lazar and maybe even Peumpel will make up for any or most of Spezza’s offence. The thing that caused them the most grief last year was the lack of discipline on the ice – stupid offensive-zone penalties – combined with an atrocious PK. That was supposed to be Condra’s strength. He brings nothing else to the table so he to go along with Greening, who only has a vague idea as to where the net is, to make room for the kids. It might not be enough to guarantee a playoff spot, but they won’t be far off when the dust settles next spring. In the case of Ryan, if he and his agent decide to wait and “see how things go” before deciding on a new contract, they need to deal him sooner than later. A young team doesn’t need that distraction hanging over their heads heading into a new season. Same with Methot. If he thinks he’s worth more than they’re offering, then trade him. MacArthur I think they’ll sign OK and whatever he gets he deserves it. Probably their most consistent F all last season.

George
on August 19, 2014 at 3:57 pm

Didn’t Markov turn down a chance to become captain 4 or 5 years ago?

Shticky
on August 19, 2014 at 8:14 pm

Tehehehe the Leafs hired and buy up extraskater and Cam Charron….finnaly using their money for something useful. A whole analytics department with probably the best guys in the biz minus Dellow.

goleafsgo69
on August 19, 2014 at 8:44 pm

amen! but shticky, we all know how the leafs love to “defy” the odds. 😛

goleafsgo69
on August 19, 2014 at 8:49 pm

Top team in the east coming outta the Oympics and miss playoffs. up 3 goals in a game 7 with 10 mins left, lose. dont think advanced analytic numbers and what not coulda fixed those nor can figure them out. thats just the last 2 years…. go leafs go!

Shticky
on August 19, 2014 at 11:02 pm

Its not going to fix them overnight no but should greatly reduce the mistakes like Clarkson Komisarek O’byrne Connoly Gleason Orr buying out Grabovski perhaps someof the problems with Randys systems (zone entries).. all will be of benefit down the road. Avoiding the big blunders they have made over the past few years is a big thing and a good start…thing about these “nerds” is they do their homework.

goleafsgo69
on August 20, 2014 at 9:14 am

ugh some of those names u mention hurt my head. i miss grabo. see if they can find some diamonds in the roughs in the meantime.

“We use third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit our Website. These companies may use information (not including your name, address email address or telephone number) about your visits to this and other Web sites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, http://www.networkadvertising.org/managing/opt_out.asp
“Partner of USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties”